THE PROBLEM

Abeer Zinaty, an Israeli citizen of Palestinian origin was fired from her job at a McDonald's restaurant in Ramle, central Israel, specifically because she spoke Arabic to a co-worker, according to a report by Jonathan Cook in Al-Ahram Weekly (4-10 March 2004) [weekly.ahram.org.eg/2004/680/re104.htm]

The Al-Ahram Weekly report stated that, "Nominally, Arabic is an official language of the State of Israel, but it has been long-standing practice in many Israeli firms to ban its use among staff. It is the first time, however, that a company of McDonald's stature has implicitly acknowledged that speaking in Arabic provides grounds for dismissal. The decision to fire Zinaty for speaking Arabic was confirmed by McDonald's Ramle branch manager to Al-Ittihad, a local Arab daily newspaper, last month."

The Al-Ahram Weekly report added that in a subsequent letter to Mossawa -- a political lobbying group for Israel's one million Palestinian citizens -- McDonald's Israel's "Human Resources Director Talila Yodfat said that all workers are instructed 'to use only Hebrew when talking among themselves or in front of customers to avoid uncomfortable situations.' However, faced with threats of legal action, Yodfat is now also arguing that the ban on Arabic was not racist in intent but to avoid possible 'miscommunication' between staff of different ethnic groups."

McDonald's Corporation, based in Oak Brook, Illinois, says on its website that, "At McDonald's, we know that people are our most valuable resource. We aim to be the best employer in each community around the world where we do business."

Among the "People Principles" it trumpets, are "Fair and respectful treatment" for all its workers anywhere in the world, and it boasts that, "McDonald's has a long-standing and distinguished record for diversity -- as an employer, franchiser, and purchaser of goods and services. We recognize not only a responsibility to provide opportunity, but also the advantages of having a workforce with diverse backgrounds and perspectives."

McDonald's says that throughout its system, "Diversity education is an ongoing process, creating awareness and building skill for managing an inclusive, diverse workforce at McDonald's."

If McDonald's Israel is banning employees from using their native language in its restaurants, which is also one of the official languages of the country, that would be entirely at odds with McDonald's stated principles of "social responsibility," and it would constitute an unacceptable form of racist discrimination.

McDonald's Corporation has over 13,000 restaurants around the world, including dozens in Israel and Arab countries.

SOLUTION

1. Read Jonathan Cook's article in Al-Ahram Weekly about alleged discrimination against Palestinian citizens of Israel by McDonald's and other firms. [weekly.ahram.org.eg/2004/680/re104.htm]

2. Contact McDonald's Corporation in the United States to tell them:
   • You are aware of the allegations that McDonald's Israel has imposed a policy banning its employees who are Palestinian citizens of Israel from speaking Arabic -- an official and native language of the country -- on its premises and that this alleged policy has resulted in the dismissal of at least one employee;

   • That McDonald's Corporation must investigate these allegations and publicly ensure any and all remedial action will be taken to guarantee that employees of McDonald's Israel will have the right to speak Arabic without fear of dismissal or retaliation;

   • McDonald's Israel should reinstate and compensate any employees who have been harmed by this kind of discrimination;

   • McDonald's Corporation must guarantee that McDonald's Israel will adhere to the Corporation's proclaimed "diversity principles."

   You may contact McDonald's by the following means:

   Mail:
   Mr. Jim Cantalupo
   Chief Executive Officer
   McDonald's Corporation
   McDonald's Plaza
   Oak Brook, IL 60523, USA
   

   Telephone: 1-800-244-6227

   Email through McDonald's contact page:
   www.mcdonalds.com/contact/contactu_us.html

3. Please write original letters and do not simply copy & paste the information above. As always, be brief, polite, quote accurately, and include your name, address, and telephone number

4. Send a copy of your letter or any response you receive to info@electronicintifada.net

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